TESTING NEW COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
by Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson Combined Endeavor 2007 Public Affairs
Technology News Daily, AZ
May 23 2007
Twenty-eight Airmen and civilians from Ramstein Air Base,
Germany, tested new communications systems at the U.S. European
Command-sponsored exercise, Combined Endeavor, held April 27 through
May 10.
The 1st Combat Communications Squadron’s team from the 86th Airlift
Wing is at the Lager Aulenbach testing site to participate in the
world’s largest communications-interoperability exercise.
The exercise includes nearly 1,500 people from 42 countries spanning
four continents and two international organizations. Representatives
from U.S., NATO, Partnership for Peace (PfP) and other nations plan and
execute interoperability testing of command, control, communications
and computer systems from participant nations in preparation for future
combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations.
"We’ve been participants at CE for five years, this year is different,
though," said Capt. Trey Felton, plans and readiness flight commander,
86th AW. "We have something new on our agenda."
For CE 07, the squadron rolled out a suite of theater deployable
communications equipment. The unit is also providing the satellite
communications, or SATCOM, connectivity to the forward operating site
in Yerevan, Armenia.
During the two-plus weeks of testing, these Airmen have participated
in more than 100 voice and data tests that will be documented by the
Joint Interoperability and Testing Center. The JITC is contracted
to collect the test data and compile it into the Combined Endeavor
Interoperability Guide. The guide is provided to participant nations
as a reference for the interoperability of communications information
systems. The database currently lists more than 13,000 test results
that provide crucial information used in coalition operations.
Of the 100-plus tests scheduled, many included testing a new
telephone-switching unit, the high-density exchange switch. "I’m
extremely excited about using the HDX. Its physical make-up and design
allows us to do more with less. It provides more capability, while
at the same time diminishes bulk," said Senior Airman Jason Sampeer,
integrated communications access package technician, 1st CBCS.
The HDX is designed to do the work of one large voice module and
two basic access modules. The LVM is used as a telecommunications
hub while the BAMs are used to branch off the LVM on a larger scale
according to the number of users. For example, an LVM could be used at
an established forward operating site to provide telephone-switching
capabilities. The BAMs would then be used to branch off the LVM like
spokes on a wheel. One LVM weighs 185 pounds and each BAM weighs
195 pounds.
An HDX weighs 125 pounds and can do the work of five BAMs or 2.5 LVMs,
according to Sampeer.
"The HDX reduces 75 percent of bulk," Airman Sampeer said. Reducing
the bulk leads to more effective logistics and less cost.
The test results will aid in determining whether the HDX is a feasible
addition to the Air Force inventory where telephone-switching modules
are concerned.
"We will use the results we garner here to create a talking paper on
the HDX. That paper will, in turn, be presented to the Air Force as
support to adapt this new system into our communications inventory,"
Captain Felton said.
The team is also testing and training on a new quad-band dual-hub
satellite terminal. The hub is capable of servicing 12 end users.
"This equipment has only been in our unit’s inventory for a year and
has only been deployed twice before," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Evans,
1st CBCS NCO in charge of satellite wideband communications systems.
"This satellite dish is powerful. The dual hub enhances our reach-back
capability which allows redundant paths for voice and data," Captain
Felton said. He said his team is taking full advantage of the time
here in Lager Aulenbach. "CE gives us the opportunity to work out
some minor issues and to gain invaluable training time on the new hub."
While testing and training on two relatively new sets of
communication equipment, the airmen are getting an education in
cultural interoperability as well.
"This has been such a rewarding event for us in terms of learning more
about our own equipment and how it works with that of other nations’,"
Sergeant Evans said. "Learning how to work with members of other
countries has provided me with a foundation of interoperability I
will use now and long into the future."
Members of the 1st CBCS are tasked for mobility operations on a regular
basis. For example, squadron members deployed to six locations in five
countries over a six-week period. The tests results learned here can
be applied in those real-world contingencies they are asked to support.
"As the United States Air Force in Europe’s premier deployable
communications unit, we’re proud to work side by side with our
partner nations to ensure we can communicate effectively and that
we are prepared to handle any contingency operation that may arise
in the European, Central and African Command Area of Operations,"
said Lt. Col. Joe Sublousky, 1st CBCS commander.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress